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Dennis2
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2004
Posts: 10
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 Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 11:13 pm Post subject: Can a Westy pop top be put on a hardtop weekender |
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I have been trying to decide whether or not to get a Westy or Weekender and was wondering if I could put a Westy pop top on a hardtop weekender? I like the extra seating and room on the weekender but would miss the pop top.
Thanks |
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syncrodoka
Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005
Posts: 12008
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 11:16 pm Post subject: |
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| multivan |
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fredn
Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2010
Posts: 332
Location: Vancouver
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 11:18 pm Post subject: |
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search
it's been done
you can cut spot welds or just cut a hole.
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1982 Air Cooled Vanagon Carat Weekender Interior
| tencentlife wrote: |
| ...most are doing what most auto forum participants do, parroting things they've heard |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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YES.
It HAS been done, I just can not quickly locate the references. You should:
"Use the SEARCH, Luke."
I too wussed and got a Multivan.......
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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Dennis2
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2004
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:05 am Post subject: |
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| After a search it seems like you can only do a pop top addition to a sunroof. Is this true? |
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Captain Pike
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2003
Posts: 3343
Location: Talos IV, Piedmont Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:13 am Post subject: |
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| Dennis2 wrote: |
| After a search it seems like you can only do a pop top addition to a sunroof. Is this true? |
no
_________________
LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current....................... |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:54 am Post subject: |
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search is fickle, and posts aren't clearly labled "how-to put pop top on passanger van"
but for what you are looking for here's a great set of images in the first few pages of this thread.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=434656
I try to not answer this type of question with "if you have to ask, the answer is generally NO"
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9939
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:43 am Post subject: Re: Can a Westy pop top be put on a hardtop weekender |
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I did it twice in the last 2 months. No welding or painting needed. Takes a few days and a helper.
Mark
| Dennis2 wrote: |
I have been trying to decide whether or not to get a Westy or Weekender and was wondering if I could put a Westy pop top on a hardtop weekender? I like the extra seating and room on the weekender but would miss the pop top.
Thanks |
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bquigs
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2008
Posts: 116
Location: Kittery, ME
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Can a Westy pop top be put on a hardtop weekender |
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| Dennis2 wrote: |
I like the extra seating and room on the weekender but would miss the pop top.
Thanks |
I have been looking into doing this on my Syncro and yes there is a lot of info available. If its the seating that your after though it would be a LOT easier to buy a multivan or westy with a pop top already on it and add the seats or interior that you want. This is particularly true if your not talking about a Syncro. There isn't really anything special about fitting the interior, it can be done by anyone, you just have to find the seats for sale. The roof however requires a lot more work to achieve a nice clean result.
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87 Syncro Zetec |
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r39o
Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005
Posts: 9800
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:48 am Post subject: |
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Mark,
Please post or forward references. Stuff like this has to go up to the top in FAQ (Best Stickies.)
PLEAZ.......
Ditto anybody else. I "KNOW" it has been posted and some how it has not made in up to the top for all to find. OK?
BIG TIA,
-Walt
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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SteveVanB
Samba Member
Joined: June 01, 2008
Posts: 1645
Location: This side of Daytona
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akyrie
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2010
Posts: 519
Location: Driftless, Wisco
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Can a Westy pop top be put on a hardtop weekender |
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[quote="crazyvwvanman"]I did it twice in the last 2 months. No welding or painting needed. Takes a few days and a helper.
Mark
Mark,
Could you direct me towards information on how you did it? I have been searching here on the Samba, and found a lot of information on the cutting welding entire roof route, but I know that it is possible to do it without the whole roof transplant. I just grabbed a top and have a van that I want to make into a pop-top. Thank you,
Akyrie |
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edgood1
Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2004
Posts: 2049
Location: Plymouth, MA
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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It can be done either the quick and easy or long and hard way. both methods have their pros and cons.
Its your call. I did it the long and hard way on my syncro and have no regrets. I should have done it sooner. it tripled my enjoyment of the van and keeps me upgrading it all the time its very far from the vehicle it used to be. it starts with an oil change and before you know it you have done an engine conversion, westy conversion and overhauled every major system on the van.... it doesn't end.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia |
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bquigs
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2008
Posts: 116
Location: Kittery, ME
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 12:12 pm Post subject: Re: Can a Westy pop top be put on a hardtop weekender |
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| akyrie wrote: |
| I have been searching here on the Samba, and found a lot of information on the cutting welding entire roof route, but I know that it is possible to do it without the whole roof transplant. I just grabbed a top and have a van that I want to make into a pop-top. |
akyire,
Im in the middle of ths right now, this is what i used for guidence. This covers the basics of cutting the hole and adding the top:
http://picasaweb.google.com/slowmachine82/SyncroCamperConversion#
At this point if your happy without a sleeping platform and a simple trim of the sheet metal edge you are done. If you want to add a sleeping platform atop the curved roof do something like this:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=423389
You can see that there is room to build a flat bed on top of the curved roof but you do loose clearance necessary for a mattress or certainly for the folded up part of the mattress. Ideally we would have access to a kit like this:
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/westy-poptop-fit_topic49144.html
This kit is a reproduction of an actual Westfalia product. The trim piece for the roof replicates the lower flange which supports the pop top lift mechanism, very nice. You can also see that a full bed is posible but you would have to store the mattress somewhere else. While the kit may basically be unobtainable it is still useful as proof of concept. Hope this helps
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87 Syncro Zetec |
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9939
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 1:27 pm Post subject: Re: Can a Westy pop top be put on a hardtop weekender |
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Yes, that is the method we used on the latest 2 Westy top installs. We even did them in the same driveway shown in those photos.
http://picasaweb.google.com/slowmachine82/SyncroCamperConversion#
Mark
| bquigs wrote: |
| akyrie wrote: |
| I have been searching here on the Samba, and found a lot of information on the cutting welding entire roof route, but I know that it is possible to do it without the whole roof transplant. I just grabbed a top and have a van that I want to make into a pop-top. |
akyire,
Im in the middle of ths right now, this is what i used for guidence. This covers the basics of cutting the hole and adding the top:
http://picasaweb.google.com/slowmachine82/SyncroCamperConversion#
............. |
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Captain Pike
Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2003
Posts: 3343
Location: Talos IV, Piedmont Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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That is close to mine but I used the flat bar for more clearance.
_________________
LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current....................... |
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EvilDNA
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2006
Posts: 116
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 11:02 am Post subject: |
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If you want the simple, easy and most trouble free answer . . . 1990 or 1991 Multivan. Also, 86,87, and 88? years have the same layout but with a fixed rear facing seat behind the driver. 86 and 87 have that PLUS syncro!!!
Confirmation Bias Notice: I have the 90 Multivan and I have ZERO kitchette envy WHATSOEVER. Syncro Envy . . . sure, who doesn't. But my wallet would never want the extra 4x4 commitment.
I found a 90 MV on craigslist the other day for 4300.00. Wild Westy got it w/in 24 hours and posted here on samba for 8700.00 Even at that price, it was a good buy. It's probably gone by now, but if you bid your time and 'USE THE SEARCH' . . here and elswhere . . . you will find what you seek.
4 speed manuals are harder to find . . . 3 speed autos are more common for the MV but seriously, hands down the MV layout is the BEST!
EDIT: Found it: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1066104
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1990 4 Speed Orly Blue Multivan |
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akyrie
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2010
Posts: 519
Location: Driftless, Wisco
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 11:16 am Post subject: |
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| I understand the process that crazyvwvanman is doing. I think I will be trying this out when the weather improves and I can get into it. I was thinking that it might be possible to build a bed frame around the arched support roof section. Although I might try to find someone with a westy, I don't have the donor vehicle or another westy to get any measurements off of. Just going to have to think everything out that much more..... |
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crazyvwvanman
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2008
Posts: 9939
Location: Orbiting San Diego
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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There is still room to put a bed platform up there. You can even hinge the end to fold over like the Westy upper bed. What is missing is some of the room needed for the upper pads.
Installing a Westy top over the arched roof leaves just over 3" of space between the fiberglass and the highest point of the roof arch. I have been planning to put a bed up in the one I just did so I will see how it goes. I have some ideas to get the most out of the 3" available.
Mark
| akyrie wrote: |
| I understand the process that crazyvwvanman is doing. I think I will be trying this out when the weather improves and I can get into it. I was thinking that it might be possible to build a bed frame around the arched support roof section. Although I might try to find someone with a westy, I don't have the donor vehicle or another westy to get any measurements off of. Just going to have to think everything out that much more..... |
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akyrie
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2010
Posts: 519
Location: Driftless, Wisco
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| Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 3:51 pm Post subject: |
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Mark,
Do you build the bed to transfer weight to the outside edges, or is the weight evenly distributed on the roof of the van? I was reading that tin-tops can't really support a person standing, but laying down might be more feasible. It's good to understand how this project should go, for a bit I was worried that I was biting way too big a chunk. |
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